After all these years, players still relish prime-time exposure

Published 4:00 am, Sunday, November 9, 1997

SANTA CLARA - They may not rival such staples as "Chicago Hope" or "The X Files," but the 49ers are prime-time fixtures in their own rite.

The nationally televised game against the Eagles in Philadelphia will be the 47th time the team has appeared on "Monday Night Football."

It's still a special event.

"The players realize all the country is watching," coach Steve Mariucci said. "And the other NFL players are watching. . . . They know they're in the spotlight for three hours."

Monday night statistics are among the most meaningless in football. But for the curious, the 49ers are 28-18 on the ABC show.

"It's always a sellout," Mariucci said. "It's always a crazy crowd and it's always a good game because they're usually good matchups. It's special."

Guard Ray Brown, a 12-year veteran, agrees.

"For me personally, being from a small town (Marion, Ark.), it gives an opportunity for everybody to see me. . . . And they don't need cable. It's a free broadcast."

Quarterback Steve Young said the game is still special after 13 years, although he noted for him "it becomes more regular over time, which is probably good."

Young said he felt the team would not become too caught up in the prime-time hoopla.

"For a lot of teams, beating Dallas and then going on Monday night could be a real emotional crest. Hopefully, we'll handle it well."

In an aside, Young noted he subscribed to the "nameless, faceless theory" - which means it's not important where or when a game is played.

"You don't worry week to week where you are," he said.

"You just mark off 100 yards and play."

INJURY UPDATE: Among the 49ers named to the early inactive list for Monday night's game were WR Jerry Rice (knee); CB Marquez Pope (foot); DT Bryant Young (foot and ankle); and C / G Jesse Sapolu (ankle).

DE Roy Barker (calf) was at practice Saturday but didn't do much. Mariucci will determine his status closer to game time, but it appears Kevin Greene will start in place of Barker.&lt;